As clouds of high interest rates and a slowing economy darken over the auto industry, some dealer council leaders see silver linings. We know because Automotive News reporters interviewed 25 of them.
Here are some of the positives cited by dealer council leaders.
- Nissan is standing its ground with sedans. "As other manufacturers pull away from [the sedan] business, Nissan dealers are happy to continue to play in that segment," said Tim Hill, owner of Hill Nissan in Winter Haven, Fla.
- Despite their problems — low profitability and the remnants of a costly global diesel emissions scandal — Volkswagen dealers see a promising future under new North American leader Scott Keogh, who has been given autonomy over the region. John Luciano, managing partner of Street Volkswagen in Amarillo, Texas, said dealers applaud Keogh's move from Audi and think they have "the right guy that can take us to the future."
- Audi dealers "are very happy to have Mark Del Rosso back" at the helm of Audi of America, said David Rosenberg, CEO of Prime Motor Group in Westwood, Mass.
- Robert DiStanislao, president of Porsche of the Main Line in suburban Philadelphia, is upbeat about the Porsche Passport subscription pilot program. People responding to it "are well-heeled, successful, younger customers that would ultimately come to our brand, but have an opportunity to experience our brand sooner than possibly they would have naturally gravitated toward us."
And then there are the new crossovers.
- Honda dealers are happy about the Passport, as are Lincoln dealers about the Aviator.
- Asked about the Ascent three-row crossover, Wally Sommer, president of Sommer's Subaru in Mequon, Wis., said: "The Ascent's impact has been huge. Not just in terms of sales … but also helping to bring new customers and a new segment into or stores. It's been great for conquest business."
- James Morrell, co-owner of Destination Kia in Albany, N.Y., said 2019 will be the most exciting year he's had as a Kia dealer thanks to the 2020 Kia Telluride three-row crossover.
